A finished diamond pallet beside a match head for Derek Pratt's John Harrison H4 reconstruction

Making The Diamond Pallets For Derek Pratt’s Reconstruction Of John Harrison‘s H4, The World’s First Precision Marine Chronometer (Part 2 of 3)

Here we present the second part in a three-part series about the making of Derek Pratt’s reconstruction of John Harrison’s H4. This part was written by Carl Murray of Frodsham. This article was first published in ‘The Horological Journal’ (HJ) in March 2015, who we thank for permission to republish on Quill & Pad.

Grayson Tighe Zirconium Dong Son fountain pen

Pen Maker Grayson Tighe And Watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin Utilize Creative Dong Son Theme

It’s not just the Đông Sơn drum theme of these two quite different collector’s items by watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin and pen maker Grayson Tighe that caught my eye: it was more than that, it was the actual pieces themselves inspired by the indigenous people of the Red River Delta of Vietnam.

What a beautiful theme to decorate such rare and interesting objects with.

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon in platinum with silver dial

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon: Understated Perfection

Can a watch with a tourbillon clearly visible on the dial side ever be understated? Common sense says no, but for the Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon, Vacheron Constantin says yes! Find out why Martin Green compares this watch new to the Geneva-based brand’s arsenal of classic timepieces to a Tesla P100D with ludicrous mode.

Jaquet Droz Petite Hour Minute Paillonnée

Personal Style: Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Paillonnée

The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Paillonnée is a fantastic example of the craftsmanship found at Jaquet Droz. The Petite Heure Minute Paillonnée showcases a style rarely found in watches today, proving that style is almost always an individual decision.

Rarity plus condition: Tiffany-labeled Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona sold through Phillips

Year-End Auctions 2016: I Came, I Saw, I Learned, I Bought

This is the second year in a row that I’ve had the opportunity to attend the November watch auctions in Geneva. On last year’s trip, a good friend and I had the pleasure of participating in several events organized by Patek Philippe as well as the biennial OnlyWatch auction. This year, we returned for the previews and salesroom action at major houses including Phillips, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s.

Exercise in coherence: Rolex GMT Master II

The Top 10 Most Popular Posts Of 2016 On Quill & Pad . . . And, No, They Weren’t All About Rolex!

As read by you,­­ here are the Top 10 most viewed articles on Quill & Pad for 2016. A few may even provide a (pleasant) surprise. So without further ado and in no particular order we present the top 10 most popular posts of 2016.

Reconstruction of Jhon Harrison's H4 by Derek Pratt, which was finished by Frodshams (image courtesy British Horological Journal)

Derek Pratt’s Reconstruction Of John Harrison’s H4, The World’s First Precision Marine Chronometer (Part 1 of 3)

Here we present the first part in a three-part series about the making of Derek Pratt’s H4 reconstruction. This part was written by Roger Stevenson, chief watchmaker at Frodsham. This article was first published in the ‘The Horological Journal’ (HJ) in February 2015 and we thank them for the gracious permission to republish it on Quill & Pad.

The rear view of the Urban Jürgensen oval tourbillon pocket watch from 1991 by Derek Pratt reveals the remontoir tourbillon with spring detent escapement; this movement is wound by key

The Life And Times Of Legendary Independent Watchmaker Derek Pratt

Derek Pratt (1938 – 2009) was perhaps one of the most “complete” watchmakers of our time along with his friend George Daniels. The Swiss-based Englishman firmly was behind and part of many watches and projects that are today common knowledge, while his own name remains relatively hidden.

Hermès Cape Cod Tourbillon of 2010

25 Years Of The Hermès Cape Cod

Over the past quarter-century the Hermès Cape Cod collection has experienced the arrival of a number of unique models and variations. Come with us on a journey to see and understand them before joyously wanting to shout, “Happy 25th birthday, Cape Cod!”

Jean Daniel Nicolas Two-Minute Tourbillon by Mr. Daniel Roth in pink gold (photo courtesy Guy Lucas de Peslouan)

The Watch That Changed My Life: The Jean Daniel Nicolas Two-Minute Tourbillon By Mr. Daniel Roth (Archive)

Many watches hold a special significance for their owners. The watch I am chronicling here didn’t just change someone’s life, it changed MY life: the Jean Daniel Nicolas Two-Minute Tourbillon by Daniel Roth.